Rishabh Pant Accuses Fielding Coach T Dilip of Favouritism, Heavy Sledging at Headingley Practice: Report

The Indian cricket team, having arrived in Headingley on Tuesday, wasted no time - the players and coaching staff engaged in the team's first proper practice session in Headingley ahead of the first Test against England on Friday. The team comes to Headingley after two warm-up matches against England Lions and one intra-squad game, but regardless of whatever fine-tuning that happened at Canterbury and Beckenham, it will be in Leeds where the players are tested most. They have finished two practice sessions, one done and one to go, and it's now time for the main one.

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There is something about this team. Yes, there are three of India's biggest superstars missing, but these 18 players who have been picked to take the challenge appear to be more relaxed and laughing more than normal. Maybe it is the lack of lingering baggage. Many of these players are young and with a lack of experience - hence there is nothing better than to start fresh - this certainly was reflected as the players were off to fast start in Wednesday's practice session. Cricbuzz commented India was practice looked like the game of gully cricket and the players were sledging and bantering heavily.

The first session began with fielding coach T Dilip's direct hit competition. Players were divided into three different teams to attempt this. Dilip likes to start with some fun drills, and you could tell in the players' posture, face and voice that they were in a good space. In fact, Rishabh Pant even joked about Dilip's impartiality, so much so that he said 'Arre who toh lefty hai, usko left mein hi khada karoge'. In hindsight there was a fun argument about the final scores. However, there were some take aways at the end of the drill. Prasidh Krishna, Karun Nair and Kuldeep Yadav all recorded a couple of direct hits each.

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However, once that direct hit competition was done the fun ended, and seriousness began. The batters took guard in the nets while bowlers marked their run-ups. Up first were openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul got throwdowns before facing the quick-fire, fiery fast-bowling pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who will most likely open the bowling for India together. Both India pacers were operating at their optimal level and have already informed bowling coach Morne Morkel, how good, and in-rhythm Jasprit Bumrah has looked during those said matches, and today is just another extension.

The moment Gill and Jaiswal had completed their hits, Shubman Gill and Pant walked in, India's 4 and 5 for the Headingley Test confirmed by the vice-captain. Karun Nair had a go too, but was in trouble when Prasidh hit him in the abdomen. The ball left a red mark just below Nair's ribs where it struck. Fortunately for Nair, it only hurt for a moment, and he found humour in it.

Bumrah was once again a major star in the nets. The Indian pace spearhead, who confirmed he won't play all five Tests, showcased once again why he will be greatly missed in the ones he won't play. With the red Dukes ball in his hand, Bumrah put his own team under the most serious pressure, having Jaiswal, Pant, and everybody else hoping and jumping. The only batter who looked comfortable against Bumrah's attacks was captain Gill, who negated the movement of the ball with his defence. He looked the part as the only batter not attacking Bumrah's unplayable deliveries, clearly emerging as a head and shoulders above the rest, in particular, Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul, who struggled with Bumrah's barrage.

Away from the players England head coach Brendon McCullum shared a loving hug with Morkel.

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